Canadiens lose forward Kirby Dach for season with ACL, MCL tears in right knee
Needs surgery following check into bench early in Saturday win over Chicago
Montreal Canadiens forward Kirby Dach has been ruled out for the remainder of the NHL season after sustaining ACL and MCL tears in his right knee that will require surgery, the team announced Tuesday.
Dach was checked into the Chicago bench by defenceman Jarred Tinordi in the first period of Saturday's 3-2, home-opening win over Chicago.
He headed to the dressing shortly afterward and did not return to the game due to a lower-body injury.
"It was a hockey play," Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis, who didn't attribute any ill intent to Tinordi, said earlier this week. "He hit Dacher [Dach], and Dacher got up to avoid getting crushed against the boards.
"I can't say it was intentional."
The 22-year-old from Fort Saskatchewan, Alta., has already missed a lot of action in his young career.
He missed 24 games late last season due to a lower-body injury, followed by an upper-body injury. In the 2020-21 season, while playing with Chicago, he was limited to 18 games because of a wrist injury.
Strong start to season
Dach has two assists in two games this season. He recorded 14 goals and 38 points in 58 games last season, his first with the Canadiens.
He looked poised to build off that this season after performing well throughout training camp.
Kirby was excited for a new season, to have to deal with this is really frustrating for him.— Canadiens forward Brendan Gallagher on Dach
"I feel that every game that I've seen him play, in pre-season and even now, you leave the rink and it's like, 'Wow Dacher was good tonight,' and that's a good feeling as a coach," said St. Louis. "I know it's a small sample … but I've kind of seen a sign of maturity in terms of consistency, you were getting it every game."
St. Louis and teammates who had spoken with Dach since the injury said he was frustrated by the situation.
"That's the worst part [of the game]," said Canadiens veteran Brendan Gallagher. "You really take care of yourself, you make a lot of sacrifices in the off-season to come in in your best shape. Kirby did that, he was excited for a new season, to have to deal with this is really frustrating for him."
Opportunity knocks
St. Louis started this season with off-season acquisition Alex Newhook on the wing instead of at centre while he adapted to his new team.
But with Dach out, Newhook is expected to fill in down the middle on the Canadiens' second line.
"We have to play the hand we're dealt, so he's going to play at centre," said St. Louis. "It's not like he has never played centre before, and I'm not too worried about it."
Newhook played as both a winger and centre with his former Colorado Avalanche.
St. Louis also experimented with both positions during training camp before ultimately placing him on the left side of Dach and Juraj Slafkovsky to start the season.
"A little more defensive responsibility [when you play centre], but I think that's a big part of my game," said Newhook. "I have parts of three years now under my belt, I think my maturity has risen a lot. To be back in the middle and have more of a responsibility there ... I think it's good and I'm looking forward to the opportunity and challenges."
No panic
Losing Dach is a significant blow for the Canadiens, but St. Louis and the players are not thinking the team will be hit by another wave of injuries.
The Canadiens set a new franchise record for games missed due to injuries last season, according to the website mangameslost.com.
"I'm not even trying to think about that," said St. Louis. "I'm not thinking it's starting all over again because it's negative energy, and I don't want to let that in here."
The Canadiens officially have four players sidelined at the moment — Dach, forward Christian Dvorak, defenceman Chris Wideman and goaltender Carey Price.
With files from Alexis Belanger-Champagne, CP